title: Deliberate self-harm in children and adolescents: a qualitative study exploring the needs of parents and carers.
abstract: Deliberate Self-harm (DSH) is a serious public health problem and is becoming more prevalent among young people in Ireland. Research tends to focus on the DSH patient. However, parental involvement is recognized as an important factor in their child's prognosis. This study aimed to describe parents' and carers' experiences of self-harm in their child in order to identify their support needs. A focus group methodology was used to generate qualitative data. Representative participants whose children had engaged in suicidal behaviour were recruited from the Paediatric Emergency, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Teams and Family Support Services. Twenty-five participants attended the focus group meeting. A transcript-based conceptual analysis was conducted to identify and explore emerging themes. Participants expressed the need for support; information about suicidal behaviour in young people; skills for parenting an adolescent; and advice on managing further incidents. Parents described significant difficulties in family communication, in parent-child relationships, and in the area of discipline following self-harm. These findings support current research that identifies the need for service development and information for parents/carers of young people who self-harm.
authors.affiliation: The Children's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Sinéad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Byrne
authors.forename: Sophia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fitzpatrick
authors.forename: Carole
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Boylan
authors.forename: Sinéad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Crowley
authors.forename: Hilary
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gahan
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Howley
authors.forename: Dorothy
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Staunton
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Guerin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017028:Caregivers; D002648:Child; D004644:Emotions; D017144:Focus Groups; D006266:Health Education; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D016487:Parenting; D010290:Parents; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior; D012944:Social Support